Alcohol Awareness Week: learning healthier habits | Tenant news

Did you know that around 1 in 3 men and 1 in 7 women in England drink more than the recommended weekly limit?

Cutting back on the booze is one of the easiest ways to boost your bank balance, get your energy back, and feel much healthier.

That’s why this Alcohol Awareness Week (6–12 July 2026), we’re asking everyone to pause, take stock, and think about how much we're drinking.

How much is too much?

For many people, drinking is part of winding down after a long day, seeing friends, or marking the weekend. Over the course of a week, it can be easy for this to add up without much thought.

The NHS recommends that adults shouldn’t regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week. That’s around six pints of average-strength beer or six medium glasses of wine.

It’s also recommended to spread these drinks over three or more days, rather than saving them all up for a heavy weekend.

Spotting the problem

Alcohol doesn’t usually become noticeable as a “problem” because it can look different from person to person.

For some people, cutting back may feel hard or they often find themselves drinking more than they meant to. For others, it may be less obvious an increase in alcohol consumption can gradually creep in through everyday life.

The effects can be easy to miss. You might notice you feel more tired than before, your sleep isn’t as deep, or your mood feels a bit flatter during the day.

These changes are often put down to stress or busy life, when alcohol might be playing a part too.

Building better habits

If you recognise any of these patterns, there are practical ways to start making changes that work for you.

This year’s theme, “Alcohol and me”, is about taking a closer look at your own drinking and how it fits into your life, health and wellbeing.

It can help to start by having a few alcohol-free days each week or switching to lower-alcohol drinks now and then.

If your social plans often involve alcohol, you could suggest doing something different instead, like going for a walk, a coffee, or a meal.

You could also think ahead for situations where alcohol is likely to be part of the plan, and decide in advance how much you want to drink or make sure there are alcohol-free options available.

Finding support 

Building better habits can be a good place to start, but there may be times when alcohol use feels harder to manage, and support is available if needed.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their drinking and needs support, speaking to your GP is a good first step. They can help you access advice, treatment, or other services needed.

There are also trusted organisations in the UK that offer information and support, including Drinkaware, who provide clear guidance on reducing alcohol use and understanding its impact on health and wellbeing.For more advice, visit the NHS website.

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